But Scocco remains determined to rejoin his old club, with reports in Argentina suggesting the player has already agreed a five-year contract with Newell’s - although that will count for nothing unless the clubs can settle on a fee.

Sunderland are prepared to let Scocco leave just six months after he moved to Wearside, but the Black Cats are unwilling to accept any less than the £3.2m they paid Brazilian side Internacional for the player in January.

Scocco’s agent Fabian Soldini arrived on Wearside last weekend with an offer from Newell’s, but the Argentinian side are understood to have offered only £1.75m for a 50% stake in the player - an arrangement that is commonplace in South America.

It would mean Scocco would become a Newell’s player, and they would pay his wages, but Sunderland would retain a half-share which could be bought out by Newell’s - or another club - at a later date,

However Sunderland are not interested in a co-ownership deal, they want to sell Scocco outright to avoid making a loss on the 29-year-old under UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.

Scocco started his career with Newell’s before leaving in 2006, and he had a second spell at the club on loan two years ago.